Cape Breton Jets, Rhinos open minor midget provincials with 1-1 tie

Cape Breton Jets goalie Jonathan Dolomont keeps an eye on the puck while Rhinos forward Luke Fielding lurks nearby, and referee Jared Pheifer during the opening game of the Nova Scotia Minor Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey League championship Thursday at the New Waterford and District Community Centre. The teams tied 1-1. - David Jala

NEW WATERFORD, N.S. — The host Cape Breton Jets and the Rhinos of Pictou County battled to a 1-1 tie to open the Nova Scotia Minor Midget 'AAA' Hockey League

championship Thursday at the New Waterford & District Community Centre.

The Jets got on the board in the first period on a goal by team captain Jason Johnson in front of about 200 fans. The Rhinos evened the score in the second period when Jayden Hatchard found the back of the net.

“There were a lot of penalties in the game and we just couldn’t seem to get our game going, getting the puck in deep and going to work on the defence,” said Jets head coach Jim (Fred) Head. “We just couldn’t create enough opportunities.”

Jonathan Dolomont tended the cage for the Jets, while Brayden Leblanc got the start in goal for the Rhinos.

The Jets continue play with games today at 10 a.m. against the Admirals from Upper Tantallon and 4 p.m. versus the Valley Wildcats. Saturday, the hosts take on the ChiroCare Kings of Sackville/East Hants at 8 a.m.

In other action, the Basin Armada of Dartmouth doubled the Kings, 4-2, the Dartmouth Voyageurs blanked the Wildcats, 2-0, and the Admirals edged the Rhinos, 2-1.

Award winners and all-stars were announced during the opening ceremonies. Johnson of the Jets was named the league’s top defenceman, while Josh Crooks of Dartmouth was named top forward. The top goaltender award was handed to the Armada’s Ty Allison.

The all-star team included Allison in goal, Johnson and Cameron Pinsent of the Admirals on defence and forwards Crooks, Nathaniel Fuller of the Jets and Matthew Revels of the Kings.